By John C. O'Connell
At long last. Almost 27 years after it was granted its first provisional charter, the Valley Stream Historical Society and its Pagan-Fletcher Restoration museum have earned an "absolute charter" from the State of New York, giving the society's work the permanent recognition that its members believe it has long deserved.
In ceremonies at the Pagan-Fletcher house on Hendrickson Avenue on Sunday, society founders and officials, Valley Stream's mayor and trustees, and village residents gathered to rejoice in the state's granting of a designation given only to organizations and museums that meet extensive requirements.
Society President Hank Selah served as emcee and said what a joyful occasion it was to meet in the historic house, the home of the Valley Stream Historical Society, for such a purpose. He reminded those gathered how long a struggle it had been to achieve official and final state recognition.
"This is a great day in Valley Stream," Mayor Ed Cahill told the society's supporters assembled throughout the first floor of the Pagan-Fletcher Restoration. "The Valley Stream Historical Society is a tremendous outfit that benefits us all, and all of Valley Stream into the future. You put your love and tender care into this work, and it is good to come here today and celebrate the recognition that this charter bestows." The mayor presented a village proclamation in praise of the society.
Dominick Minerva, who was mayor in 1977 when the village originally authorized the purchase of the house that is now the Pagan-Fletcher Restoration, spoke about the hard work that the society did in getting the village to approve its early endeavors. Now, he said, all that work has come to fruition. "I congratulate you on this odyssey and wish you all the best of luck in your future work that is so important. You are the backbone of the village of Valley Stream."
Jim Darcy, former Valley Stream mayor and now Hempstead Town Council member, presented a town proclamation to the society.
Carol McKenna, society official and village historian, told of the society's history. "On July 7, 1972, a group of 12 met with the intention of forming a historical society," she said. Their names were Mable Dibble Ackerly, Carolyn and Dwight Young, Alan and Helen Dowdeswell, Helen Rack Moore, Edward Moore, Burt and Betty Vanderclute, Howard Ruehl, Lillian Rack Weaver and Seymour Morgenroth.
The village historian went on to chronicle the society's beginnings, saying that the state officially recognized it in 1973 and granted a provisional charter in '74.
"From 1978 through Dec. 13, 1993 - at which time the Pagan-Fletcher Restoration was officially opened to the public - two committees toiled," McKenna said, "a restoration committee under the direction of Ted Libath, and a finance committee under the direction of Bert Keller.
"The next five years were spent in furnishing the restoration and establishing exhibits and 'getting our feet wet.' In 1998, a committee comprised of Bert Keller, Joan Duffy, Karen Selah, the late Frank Koegler and yours truly met to finalize the questionnaire required by the chartering unit of the State Education Department. ... Finally, on June 13, 2000, the final step in the long road was realized, as the Board of regents granted the society its absolute charter."
Hank Selah and McKenna, on behalf of all the members of the society, officially unveiled the charter to robust applause.
